Description

Cytokines and growth factors are small, multifunctional proteins that play critical roles in controlling development and regulating the body's responses to disease and infection. Among the clinical applications for cytokine and growth factor research are cancer immunotherapy, wound healing, allergy relief, animal health, treatment of autoimmune disorders, anti-viral therapy, obesity and disease diagnosis. With all of these potential benefits, it is not surprising that pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies are spending large sums of money to find new ways to analyze and modulate the activities of cytokines and growth factors. Research in the cytokine and growth factor field has focused on the following key areas: determining the biological functions of known cytokines and growth factors, discovering novel proteins, identifying cell surface receptors that bind cytokines and growth factors, elucidating the biological pathways by which these molecules effect cellular changes, measuring protein levels, and modulating cytokine and growth factor activity. Although cytokines and growth factors have been studied for many years, these molecules are taking on new importance for two main reasons: (1) sequencing of the human genome has revealed a variety of potential new drug targets that are related to previously characterized cytokines, growth factors and receptors; and (2) the drug development pipelines of many pharmaceutical companies contain growing numbers of cytokine, growth factor and receptor-based protein drugs, antibodies and small molecule inhibitors. The Market for Cytokine, Growth Factor and Receptor Reagents is designed for companies that want to capitalize on the vast potential of this dynamic field. Based on an in-depth 30-question survey of over 660 life scientists in both academia and industry, this report details current scientific methodologies, identifies new research trends and reveals levels of satisfaction with laboratory products and vendors. In addition to describing the major objectives of their cytokine and growth factor research, survey respondents identified preferred quantification and activity assays, and the most popular suppliers of antibodies, recombinant proteins and DNA microarrays. The report also specifies the perceived problems with existing products and indicates areas where vendors can focus increased efforts toward meeting researchers' needs. The growing importance of cytokine and growth factor research has attracted many life science suppliers, both large distributors as well as niche vendors, who are competing for a share of this market. Whether your company sells products for basic research, diagnostics or therapeutics, this report provides valuable information on market dynamics and user needs that will help your business to stay ahead of the curve. Report Highlights Market Opportunities in Cytokine & Growth Factor Research contains over 75 charts and/or tables and over 25 cross-tabulations for the 30 survey questions. Below is a glimpse of the key findings derived from just a few of the survey questions: • The majority of respondents cited "basic research on biological processes" (67%) as the primary research application in which they use or assay cytokines. (Question 3) • When using cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays, respondents most often cited problems or limitations with the "price of assays and/or reagents" (64%) and "low signal-to-noise" (32%). (Question 10) • R&D Systems, Amersham Biosciences and BD Biosciences Clontech were most frequently cited as the respondents' primary supplier of immunoassay kits and reagents. (Question 15) • Respondents were least satisfied with the "price" of antibodies and their "use with fixed tissues." (Question 16) • 41% of the respondents project that the number of DNA microarrays they use in their cytokine research will increase, with 38% expecting an increase of 20-39%. (Question 25) • Only 4% of the respondents are "very satisfied" with the DNA microarray they use for cytokine assays. (Question 28) (electronic copy also includes 1 print copy)

Table of Contents

Section 1. Analysis and Interpretation of Survey Results 1-1 Introduction to Cytokine & Growth Factor 1-6 Cell-Based or Protein-Based Assays 1-17 RNA-Based Assays 1-23 Customer Satisfaction Section 2. Study Methodology and Demographics 2-1 Objectives 2-1 Comments 2-2 Quadrant Analysis (Bivariate Correlation) 2-4 Assumptions 2-4 Definition of Terms 2-5 Market Segment 2-5 Job Position 2-5 Geographic Region 2-5 Area(s) of Research 2-5 Questionnaire Section 3. Presentation of Survey Data 3-1 Study of cytokines 3-2 Primary research objectives 3-4 Primary research application in which cytokines are used or assayed 3-6 Model systems employed in cytokine research 3-8 Molecules or families of molecules routinely used in research 3-10 Primary biological source of recombinant cytokines 3-12 Primary source of sample material for cytokine assays 3-14 Types of in vitro assays used in cytokine/growth factor research Cell-Based & Protein-Based Assays (Respondents = 366) 3-16 Cytokine assays used 3-21 Problems/limitations encountered in using cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays 3-23 Most influential features in decision to use one cell-based or protein-based cytokine assay over another 3-25 Product types purchased most frequently from a commercial supplier for use in cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays Antibodies (Respondents = 152) 3-26 Average number of samples analyzed with cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays using antibodies per month 3-29 Future use of antibodies for cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays 3-38 Primary supplier of antibodies for cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays 3-42 Satisfaction with specific features of the antibodies used 3-48 Overall satisfaction with features of the antibodies used Immunoassay Kits and Reagents (Respondents = 124) 3-27 Average number of samples analyzed with cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays using immunoassay kits and reagents per month 3-32 Future use of immunoassay kits and reagents for cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays 3-39 Primary supplier of immunoassay kits and reagents for cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays 3-44 Satisfaction with specific features of the immunoassay kits and reagents used 3-49 Overall satisfaction with features of the immunoassay kits and reagents used Recombinant Cytokines, Growth Factors and Receptors (Respondents = 80) 3-28 Average number of samples analyzed with cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays using recombinant cytokines, growth factors and receptors per month 3-35 Future use of recombinant cytokines, growth factors and receptors for cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays 3-40 Primary supplier of recombinant cytokines, growth factors and receptors for cell-based or protein-based cytokine assays 3-46 Satisfaction with specific features of the recombinant cytokines, growth factors and receptors used 3-50 Overall satisfaction with features of the recombinant cytokines, growth factors and receptors used RNA-Based Assays (Respondents = 263) 3-51 RNA-based cytokine assays used 3-53 Number of different cytokines detected or measured in a single RNA-based cytokine assay 3-54 Type of DNA microarray primarily used for cytokine assays 3-56 Source of the DNA microarray used most frequently for cytokine assays 3-57 Problems/limitations encountered in using current DNA microarray technology 3-59 Most influential features in decision to use one microarray over another 3-61 Average number of DNA microarrays used in cytokine research per month 3-62 Future use of DNA microarrays for cytokine assays 3-65 Primary supplier of DNA microarrays for cytokine assays 3-67 Satisfaction with specific features of the microarrays used for cytokine assays 3-69 Overall satisfaction with DNA microarrays used for cytokine assays Supplier Selection & Satisfaction (Respondents = 629) 3-70 Factors that are most likely to influence the selection of a supplier for the cytokine related-products or assay reagents used Section 4. Appendices 4-1 Insights & Perspectives 4-15 Cross-Tabulations of Survey Data 4-40 Other Recent Publications 4-47 About BioInformatics 4-48 Our Valued Clients